Written by

Jamie McGee

The Tennessean

More than 8,000 Nashville businesses are using Square, both those with temporary sites and brick-and-mortar shops, including The Silly Goose, owned by chef Roderick Bailey. / John Partipilo / File / The Tennessean

Whitney May uses Square at her bakery, The Sweet Stash. / George Walker IV / File / The Tennessean

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Setting up a card processing system is one of the less glamorous aspects of launching a retail business, but often a necessary one, and many Nashville companies are turning to San Francisco-based Square to simplify the process.

Square allows a credit or debit card transaction through an app and a card reader that plugs into an Apple iOS or Android-equipped smartphone or tablet. Customers swipe their card on the reader and use a finger to sign, and the business is charged a 2.75 percent flat fee per swipe, regardless of card, streamlining the payment process typically associated with hardware purchases and varying fees.

More than 8,000 Nashville businesses are using Square, both those with temporary sites and brick-and-mortar shops, including The Silly Goose, Juice Nashville and Barista Parlor, and the company has processed $70 million in Nashville commerce this year, according to Square spokeswoman K.C. Simon.

“Everyone carries around a credit card,” Simon said. “It’s many consumers’ favorite way to pay, and yet it is actually historically quite difficult for small businesses to get started accepting credit cards.”

Square offers businesses its reader for free, and its app takes about five minutes to set up, Simon said. Additionally, businesses can track sales through the app, allowing them to see which items are most popular and which hours and days are busiest.

Square is among a growing number of companies building point-of-sale products as retailers and consumers seek more efficient systems. Shopify, Groupon and PayPal are among those competing for business clients.

Whitney May, owner of The Sweet Stash, said she was limited to cash or check payments for her bakery, both at its Nashville Farmers’ Market location and for delivery before using Square. Now, she can offer customers a card payment option, as well as a text receipt. She also tracks year-over-year sales through the app.

Andy Mumma opened Barista Parlor in May 2012 after 15 years of experience working in specialty coffee and just as many years working with card payment systems, prompting him to spend time researching new systems before launching. The simplicity makes it attractive to both him and customers, he said.

“It’s really simple to set up,” he said. “There is not a lot of extra stuff.”

Mumma even had a local craftsman build a wooden casing to hold his iPad and reader to make it look less modern and “more barista parlor.” And the novelty of the finger signature has not worn off with customers. “It’s sort of a normal thing, but it still blows a lot of people’s minds,” he said.